Nasty incident a couple of weeks ago

[benb]

I've been on holiday in Northuberland, but just before I went away I had a nasty run in with an entitled idiot.

I was cycling up a road with parked cars. I obviously needed to stay clear of the door zone, and there wasn't room for a safe overtake in the road that remained, so I was correctly cycling in the middle of the lane.

This bloke drove dangerously close behind me (less than a couple of metres), aggressively revving, beeping and shouting expletives. *
I pulled over when there was a safe gap to do so, and they overtook, then stopped to continue remonstrating with me. **

I tried to explain my positioning, but they were not interested. Then the passenger threw a can of drink at me (which hit me on the foot) before driving off.

I'm going to the police tomorrow to give a witness statement - luckily I have video of the whole thing, so hopefully they'll be prosecuted for something or other.

I haven't put up the footage yet, as I want to see what the police are going to do. (I'm fairly sure that having it on YouTube won't prejudice a prosecution, but don't want to give any excuses to the defence)

* What sort of person decides that they disagree with someone's road positioning (rightly or wrongly) and thinks that an appropriate response to that is to deliberately endanger someone's life?

** I don't understand why, if they were in such a hurry, they suddenly had time to stop to have a go at me about it. They wasted far more time arguing than if they had just waited for a safe overtaking opportunity.

 

[BSRU]

** I don't understand why, if they were in such a hurry, they suddenly had time to stop to have a go at me about it. They wasted far more time arguing than if they had just waited for a safe overtaking opportunity.

It's the logic of some idiots, cannot wait a few seconds to pass safely but plenty of time to stop and rant about it. Unfortunately far too common an attitude.

 

[glenn forger]

I read something recently about video footage, uploading may screw up a prosecution but only if you title the clip "Idiot driver" or something. Just the clip and no comments should be fine.

 

[benb]

I read something recently about video footage, uploading may screw up a prosecution but only if you title the clip "Idiot driver" or something. Just the clip and no comments should be fine.

I'll see what transpires tomorrow, then I may put it on unlisted and post the link.

 

[glenn forger]

You did the right thing by the way, there's no reasoning with knuckle-draggers.

 

[Markymark]

I'll see what transpires tomorrow, then I may put it on unlisted and post the link.

Why? Just let it play out and then post when done and dusted. Putting it up will do nothing to help other than give you confirmation of what you felt and may cause a problem which would be a shame.

 

[Big Nick]

Yes, it's very strange how people openly threaten you with bodily injury on their perception you've held them up. It's hardly proportionate to what they are accusing you of and its difficult to fathom

Sounds like a clear cut case of inconsiderate driving followed up by common assault by the passenger to me and I would point that out quite clearly to the investigating police officer.

 

[Nigeyy]

First brain cell says: "uugghhh.... bicycle....must.....overtake....."

Second brain cell says: "cannot get by.... late for surgery on knuckle scrapes.... must threaten cyclist.....and act like idiot"

Third brain cell says: oh, wait, there aren't any more.

 

[Black Country Ste]

When Mr Punchy had me it was very tempting to go public with the video straight away but I waited until the case was disposed.

 

[Sham69]

Sounds only too familiar. I hope you get the outcome you desire. Part of me would want justice too but another part of me thinks it's best to just accept these things and get on with it - find a way not to let it get to you (or should I say 'me'). Defeatist, I know but experience tells me that in the North West Kent area at least, the police really aren't interested in low-level crimes. Considerable time and effort would be required to pursue any such incident further, which personally, I would resent.

Had a spate of egg attacks a few years ago. Reported two incidents to police at the time (by 'phone) yet despite assurances, neither were followed up (I gave numberplates too). One of the incidents involved a 999 call as I was a bit stunned by a high velocity egg in the face - not the joke it sounds when it strikes you at around 60 - 80mph square in the face!

 

[glenn forger]

An egg blinded a cyclist, Southampton?

 

[Crankarm]

Sounds only too familiar. I hope you get the outcome you desire. Part of me would want justice too but another part of me thinks it's best to just accept these things and get on with it - find a way not to let it get to you (or should I say 'me'). Defeatist, I know but experience tells me that in the North West Kent area at least, the police really aren't interested in low-level crimes. Considerable time and effort would be required to pursue any such incident further, which personally, I would resent.

Had a spate of egg attacks a few years ago. Reported two incidents to police at the time (by 'phone) yet despite assurances, neither were followed up (I gave numberplates too). One of the incidents involved a 999 call as I was a bit stunned by a high velocity egg in the face - not the joke it sounds when it strikes you at around 60 - 80mph square in the face!

You must have been shell shocked.

SIGMC.

 

[Crankarm]

In years past I've had cans, bottles, bags of McDs rubbish thrown at me, half smoked lit cigarettes. On each occasion the cops have done absolutely FA.

@OP I hope the cops do something about your knuckle draggers, more so, as you have camera footage. Does it show their faces and actions clearly? If nothing is done name and shame publish everywhere make sure it goes viral.

 

[CopperCyclist]

Why? Just let it play out and then post when done and dusted. Putting it up will do nothing to help other than give you confirmation of what you felt and may cause a problem which would be a shame.

I agree. While it *shouldn't* really effect the case, why risk it and give the defence any angle at all to make you look bad. Think of the "this cyclist is deliberately looking to provoke incidents" claim that gets thrown at many head camera users. Not true, but could muddy the water in a court.

Let the legal side run, and put it up afterwards. We can wait!

 

[Shut Up Legs]

I don't understand why, if they were in such a hurry, they suddenly had time to stop to have a go at me about it. They wasted far more time arguing than if they had just waited for a safe overtaking opportunity.

Thinking isn't their strong point, or they probably wouldn't behave so badly in the first place. Best of luck with the legal side of things, anyway: I hope they get what they deserve.